today's other readings are Daniel 3 for both the 1st reading and the canticle
The opening saying from Jesus today, "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth shall set you free", brings to mind a memory of a statement made by one of my Seminary professors, Fr Joachim Pillai, who said, "yes, the truth will set you free, but it also can get you into a whole lot of trouble".
Fr. Pillai is right. The truth, especially speaking it or living it, can get you into trouble. For there are, and have been, many people who find the truth very inconvenient, especially those in power for whom the truth threatens their positions or status.
Jesus spoke the truth. The Jewish authorities certainly were not happy to have it spoken to them. And we know the price He paid. St. Oscar Romero, the Archbishop of San Salvador in the country of El Salvador, spoke constantly of the truth of the suffering and the oppression of the poor of his country, paid in the ultimate price with his murder by the military of his country. In fact, every martyr of the Church paid that same price for living the truth of our faith.
But the truth needs to be spoken and lived. For all who do so, live lives filled with a sense of purpose, a purpose that only God can provide.
Let us pray that each one of us will live the truth of our Christian faith in all aspects of our lives.